Women In History Qiu Jin

Woman in History - Qiu Jin - The Joan of Arc of China

Have you heard of Qiu Jin? She was also called “Jianhu Nüxia” (Woman Knight of Mirror Lake)

This lady was a true badass. She was the Joan of Arc of China. A strong-willed feminist of her time. Qiu Jin grew up well educated and had dreams of becoming a poet and writer. She often wrote of strong, female heroes.

At 19 she was married off to a wealthy merchant against her wishes but to her father's approval. Her marriage was rocky and she often wrote of her husband. Her poetry went from inspirational with strong women heroes to loneliness and sadness.

During this time she also wrote about the current events in China. With her poor relationship and concerns with the fate of China and Chinese women into a revolutionary feminist.

She left her husband in 1903 to study in Japan where she started speaking out for the rights of women. In 1905 she moved back to China where she joined the Triads, a group dedicated to overthrowing the Qing Dynasty.

She started her own Women's Journal in 1906 with feminist writings. In 1907 she was appointed as the head of the Datong school. It was promoted as a school for sports teachers but was used to train military revolutionaries.

Her cousin was caught and tortured days before an attempt to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. Qiu Jin was arrested and tortured but never spoke of her involvement. She was then publicly beheaded at the age of 31.

Because of this event, it actually ignited the disdain for the Qing dynasty and Qui Jin became a national hero.

Qui Jin still remains a symbol of women's independence in China.

Just another woman we owe so much to, yet little know of her.